MLS Game Summary - Montreal at Kansas City

Kansas City, KS (Sports Network) - The Montreal Impact climbed to the top of
the Eastern Conference table on Saturday by claiming a 2-1 victory over
Sporting Kansas City at Sporting Park.

Sporting went in front through Claudio Bieler's penalty kick in first-half
stoppage time, but goals from Sanna Nyassi and Collen Warner inside the
opening eight minutes of the second half saw the Impact march on to take all
three points.

The victory sees Montreal (8-2-2) take advantage of Red Bull New York's loss
to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, bringing the Impact to 26 points on
the season for a one-point lead over Mike Petke's side.

Kansas City (6-5-4) trails Montreal by four points, suffering its third loss
in its last five home matches.

Sporting took the lead after being awarded a dubious penalty decision. Bieler
hit the ground due to a light tug from Alessandro Nesta, but the infraction
occurred at the edge of the box and easily could have been spotted outside the
area. The penalty decision was ultimately upheld after referee Armando
Villarreal conferred with his assistant and Bieler lashed the ensuing attempt
into the back of the net.

Montreal wasted no time in leveling the score after the restart as the
visitors equalized in the 47th minute. A failed clearance from a corner kick
fell to Nyassi at the top of the penalty area and the Impact winger fired a
low shot through traffic that left Jimmy Nielsen with chance at a save.

Six minutes later, the Impact had their first lead of the night. Sporting
struggled to clear its lines and a failed clearance from Kei Kamara fell into
the lap of Warner, who took advantage and slotted a shot past Nielsen.

The Impact were reduced to 10 men in the 74th minute when Nesta was sent off
for an apparent headbutt on Bieler, but they were able to sustain some late
pressure to escape Sporting Park with all three points in tact.